Rode VideoMic?

So here's what I was thinking:

Buy this kit for now, and use that until I can afford a beachtek adapter/feel that it's necessary. Good idea?

And keeping the mic cord away from power cords helps? I've been filming with the camera plugged into an AC adapter for alot of my indoor shots, so that might be the issue. Do you think using battery power only would help?
 
TheDingo said:
...Just checked the CamcorderInfo review for HBlack's Elura 90 camera. You can see that it has a yellow AV output which can also be used directly with headphones. So he can simply plug a set of headphones directly into the camera to monitor his audio.

CamcorderInfo Review of the Canon Elura 90
http://www.camcorderinfo.com/content/Canon-Elura-90-Camcorder-Review.htm
Click to expand...

Yeah, but the headphone jack is screwed up. For some reason though, the RCA adapter works fine. I'm going to see if there's any way I could get an audio signal out of them with headphones.
 
I don't know what you do with your cam. I own a Canon XHA! and I have a NTG2, among other mics, and it is a very good mic. I also have a Panasonic gs150 (closer to your camera) and I use a RodeVideomic with it and the truth is that it works like a charm. My advice: get a Videomic and save money, enjoy and learn. The quality of your recording will be very good and if you really want to improve it ..well ..try to record quality content. Best of luck my friend.
 
So would I be okay with running a videomic w/ cable extension on a boom pole, without doing the XLR conversion? Or is XLR a good idea?

I was kinda leaning towards getting that NTG2 kit, for the reason that it'll save me getting a new mic later or settling for mediocre quality, but as long as I can get good results (with no hiss or buzzing) out of the videomic, I may go for that.


I've been having a bit of frustration with the rental I've been using because of buzzing, which I assume is that cause of using an XLR to mini cable. I mostly want to avoid that at all costs.
 
So here's what I plan to get, please recommend any changes you feel are necessary.

Rode NTG2 - With shock mount, wind shield, mic stand mount
RCA to Mini 3.5 Adapter - Male to male, so I can listen to the audio signal. Although the yellow port on the camera doesn't work with headphones, the RCA works, so I assume an adapter will let me listen to the signal.
6' XLR to Mini 3.5 Cable - Because the cable it comes with isn't long enough.

Does that sound good? (No pun intended)
 
HBlack said:
So would I be okay with running a videomic w/ cable extension on a boom pole, without doing the XLR conversion?
Click to expand...

I own a VideoMic. Based upon my own experience you can use the Rode 10ft unbalanced extension without too much trouble. Longer than this, you would be better to go the XLR route.

HBlack said:
I was kinda leaning towards getting that NTG2 kit, for the reason that it'll save me getting a new mic later or settling for mediocre quality
Click to expand...

I hadn't seen this kit before you posted the link. It looks like a good deal, especially as it gets you into XLR equipment right from the start. The NTG2 is good mic too.

HBlack said:
but as long as I can get good results (with no hiss or buzzing) out of the videomic, I may go for that.
Click to expand...

Is there any way you can check out a BeachTek adapter ( like the DXA-2s ) with your camcorder?

With the Canon HV20 I use for work, setting the BeachTek's "ground lift" switch eliminates any induction buzzing that ocasionally occurs from the Canon's unbalanced mic input. ( I sometimes shoot in hospitals, with a lot of electrical gear around me )

BTW, in case you decide to go the VideoMic route, I saw this link on another site:

Rode Videomic - $129.99 and FREE GROUND SHIPPING!
http://www.alphaelectronics.com/showpages.asp?pid=1020

HBlack said:
I've been having a bit of frustration with the rental I've been using because of buzzing, which I assume is that cause of using an XLR to mini cable. I mostly want to avoid that at all costs.
Click to expand...

See if you can test out a BeachTek unit for your camera, which might help to clear up your noise problem.
 
HBlack,

Here's a link to a shotgun shootout that includes both the Rode NTG-2 and the Rode VideoMic:

DVCreators.net Shotgun-shootout
http://www.dvcreators.net/shotgun-shootout/

...I don't know why they had the narrator hand-hold the VideoMic ( which introduces some handling noise ) as it can be easily mounted on a stand or boom.

Some reviews of the VideoMic

VideoMaker Review
http://www.videomaker.com/article/12163/

Sundance Media Group Review
http://www.sundancemediagroup.com/articles/Rode_VideoMic.htm

Pana 3CCD User Review
http://pana3ccduser.com/article.php?filename=The-R%C3%98DE-Videomic

Ty Ford's Review : Need QuickTime to play the video
http://homepage.mac.com/tyreeford/.Public/Video/RodeVideoMic.mp4


:D
 
TheDingo said:
BTW, in case you decide to go the VideoMic route, I saw this link on another site:

Rode Videomic - $129.99 and FREE GROUND SHIPPING!
http://www.alphaelectronics.com/showpages.asp?pid=1020
Click to expand...

It's a shame I live in Canada. B&H seems to be the only major place that ships here, and all the Canadian stores are about $100 more.

So I've decided on going the videomic route, with a 10 foot cable extension. Unless anyone says anything to sway me, or this is a bad idea, I'm ordering tomorrow.
 
you should get a mic that you won't have to just turn around and replace right away. Go with the ntg2 kit. It will hold it's value where the videomic won't at all. Also you can use any length xlr and just get an adapter at the camera. It still won't be balanced, but xlrs are still better shielded than most mini cables (and they come in many lengths
 
You're probably right. It makes the most sense to get a mic that'll last through university, if I decide to get more serious about things during that time.
 
Have a read of this Jay Rose article and then decide: http://www.dplay.com/dv/balance/balance.html Going unbalanced is like driving without seatbelts; perhaps you will never need it but when you do...oh boy, you'll wish you had it.

I would say 10' is not really adequate length from booming.

Your average boom pole extended will be about 10';
cabled wrapped around 10' pole will equal about 12',
cable drop from end of boom pole held overhead to ground ~6'5",
cable length from boom person to camera=your discreation but 10' would be minimal, cable distance from ground to camera ~6',
slack for safty loop, etc ~3'.

Add those together to get the standard XLR length of about 25'. Every foot of wire on unbalanced cable is introducing noise to a very delicate mic signal.

Good luck
 
So from what I see, these are my options. Please give input on what you would go for.

1) Just a videomic. It's cheap, and will probably give good results for now, but won't hold up to more serious applications later. Then again, it's good for my purposes for at least the next two years in all likelihood.

2) Videomic with beachtek converter. (I think) assurance of good sound without buzzing. Again, the downside that I may have to get a new mic later. On the other hand, I don't want to spend $180 on a converter unless I really need it.

3)NTG2, with an unbalanced connection. I may or may not encounter problems due to buzzing, but I always have the option of getting the beachtek converter later. I think I like this option, as long as the chances of experiencing buzzing aren't too prominent.

Keep in mind, I'm just starting to get slightly serious about filmmaking, and everything I do is in my spare time with the smallest budget possible. I like to think I'm pretty capable, but I'm 15. So I don't really need to take all the precautions that a professional will, as long as I can get a good product.
 
HBlack said:
3)NTG2, with an unbalanced connection. I may or may not encounter problems due to buzzing, but I always have the option of getting the beachtek converter later. I think I like this option, as long as the chances of experiencing buzzing aren't too prominent.
Click to expand...

Your third option is probably your best. Better sound and an easier item to sell if you change your mind down the road.

The VideoMic is a temporary fix, though it's still handy for quick video grabs, when you don't want to bring any sound gear with you.

BTW, I'm also from Canada. If you want to buy in Canada, you might want to take a look at this place:

The DV Shop : Shotgun Mics
http://www.dvshop.ca/audio/shotgun.html

The DV Shop : XLR Cables and adapters
http://www.dvshop.ca/cables/xlr.html

...Or if you live near Toronto or Vancouver, you could always rent gear from Trew Audio:

Trew Audio Toronto
http://www.trewaudio.ca/rentals/toronto/

Trew Audio Vancouver
http://www.trewaudio.ca/rentals/vancouver/


:D
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the advice everyone.

If you're in Canada, check out Long & McQuade for any sound equipment you want to rent. I've managed to get a good shotgun mic for $40 a month, so I'm sure if they carry something you want it's a good place to look at.


If the bank account says yes, I think I'll go with the NTG2.
 
Should I get an XLR to mini cable, or are there any cheap adapters so I can run a whole XLR cable? I'm not ready to buy a beachtek or anything like that just yet, but a small adapter to put a full XLR line into the camera would be nice.
 
So, I'm now down $340 CDN.

Here's what I ordered:
NTG2 kit w/ shock mount and 1.5' XLR to mini cord
10' ft XLR to mini cord
RCA-Mini 3.5 adapter, because my camera needs it for some reason
Replacement bands for the shock mount


Any idea as to how long it'll take to ship? It's UPS ground to Southern Ontario.
 
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